Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Application Process

Can I appear in any of the GATE 2020 papers?

The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree. The candidate can also choose any other papers of GATE 2020, however, it is better to choose a paper in line with the eligibility criteria of the institutions/organizations in which he/she wishes to seek admission/job.

How do I apply ONLINE?

Refer to Section 4.4.2 given in the GATE 2020 Brochure and by visiting the website http://gate.iitd.ac.in

Can I use one e-mail address to fill multiple application forms?

NO. One e-mail address can be used to submit only ONE application form. Candidates are discouraged to fill multiple application forms using different e-mail addresses.

Why should I choose three examination cities?

A candidate will most likely be allotted a centre in the examination city of his/her first choice. Only in cases, where there are too many candidates opting for a certain city as their first choice, the other two choices become relevant. A candidate is required to fill his/her choices of cities to appear in the examination, but should remember that because of operational constraints, the GATE committee reserves the right to add a new city or remove an existing one, and allot a city that may not be any of the choices of a candidate. For candidates opting for international centres, there will be only one choice (by default).

What do I do, if the power/internet connection failed during the submission of application process?

Please login to the GOAPS website again and continue the application process.

Only SC/ST/PwD candidates have been asked to upload the category certificates. What about the OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates? Do they have to upload the category certificate too?

NO. Category certificate is required only for Indian nationals (appearing from exam centres within India), who wishes to avail a concession in application fee. As far as the GATE 2020 examination is concerned, only SC/ST/PwD candidates and all women candidates are eligible for application fee concession.

How do I make the fee payment for GATE 2020 examination?

There is a link to the payment gateway from the application portal. The candidate can opt for any of the payment options listed over there. The additional charges such as service charges, processing fees or bank charges, have to be borne by the candidate.

What is the fee for candidates with foreign nationality?

For the candidates with Foreign nationality, who wish to appear for GATE 2020 examination, the application fee is as follows:

Examination Centres

On or before 24th Sept. 2019

During the Extended Period

Centres in India

1500

2000

Addis Ababa, Colombo, Dhaka and Kathmandu

US$ 50

US$ 70

Dubai and Singapore

US$ 100

US$ 120

What is the fee for candidates with Indian nationality appearing at International centres?

For the candidates with Indian nationality, who wish to appear for GATE 2020 examination, the application fee (irrespective of their category and gender) is as follows:

Examination Centres

On or before 24th Sept. 2019

During the Extended Period

Addis Ababa, Colombo, Dhaka and Kathmandu

US$ 50

US$ 70

Dubai and Singapore

US$ 100

US$ 120

What do I do, if power/Internet connection failed during an online payment?

When you can get back online, login back to GOAPS website and check the status of the payment. If the payment was received by GATE, you can continue the process of printing the application form.

If the payment was not received by GATE, you can also check the status of transaction from your bank account. In case, the fee amount has been debited (deducted) from your bank account, but GOAPS does not acknowledge any fee payment, then the money will be credited back to your account. However, this may take a week or more, after the closure of the application process.

In such a situation, you may initiate a fresh payment on GOAPS without waiting for the money to be credited back to your account. This will ensure that your application submission will be on time (within the deadline).

My net banking account has been debited more than once. How do I get the money back?

Any unaccounted or excess money that was received on behalf of GATE 2020 from this account, will automatically be returned (credited) to the same bank account. However, this may take a week or more, after the closure of the application process.

My bank account has been debited (money taken out), but GOAPS website says that the payment has not been received. What do I do?

Please login back to GOAPS after some time and check the status of the payment. Even then, if GOAPS does not acknowledge any fee payment, the money will be credited back to your account. However, this may take a week or more, after the closure of the application process. In such a situation, you may initiate a fresh payment on GOAPS without waiting for the money to be credited back to your account. This will ensure that your application submission will be on time (within the deadline). Finally, you will be charged only once. Any excess/unaccounted debits will be returned back to you.

Do I have to send the print-out of the application form?

NO. The print-out of the application form is not required to be sent to the Organising Institute (IIT Delhi) or any other GATE zonal offices.

When and how will I know the status of my application?

You can check the status of your application by logging into GOAPS website.

After completing the ONLINE application process and generating a PDF file, will I be able to change my application data?

NO. After completing all the steps upto PDF application form generation in the ONLINE application process, you can only download the application form and CANNOT modify the data. Hence, you need to be very careful while entering the data.

I have missed to take a print-out of my ONLINE application at the end of my application process. How will I get access to it?

You can login using GOAPS Enrollment ID and password and take a print-out for your own reference. The print-out must not be sent to GATE Organising Institute.

If I have not uploaded photograph as per the specifications mentioned, will my application be rejected?

YES, the application will be rejected.

Which Identity Document (ID) will be accepted in the application form?

For Indian candidates, the following identification documents/cards will be accepted: Passport, PAN Card, Voter ID, Aadhaar-UID, College ID, Employee ID and Driving License. For International candidates, ONLY valid Passport/Government issued ID/College ID/ Employee ID will be accepted as the recognized identification.

If I am in the final year of my qualifying degree program, what certificate do I upload?

If a candidate is in the final year of the qualifying degree program, a Certificate from the Head of the Department/Institute (in the format given in Appendix A of GATE 2020 Brochure), must be uploaded.

If I have completed the degree in 2019, but my institute has still not provided me with the degree certificate/provisional certificate, which document should I upload as eligibility certificate?

In case, the degree certificate/provisional certificate has not been issued at the time of application, final year marksheet (of any one semester) must be uploaded as eligibility document.

I have backlogs/arrears during the qualifying degree program, due to which I did not complete the program. I am currently not studying in the college and therefore cannot get duly signed Certificate from the Head of the Department/Institute. Which document should I upload while filling the application form?

If you cannot get a duly signed Certificate from the Head of the Department/Institute, you should submit final year marksheet (of any one semester), even if there are backlogs/arrears in some subjects.

Is the downloaded marksheet (from internet) acceptable as an eligibility document?

Yes, internet downloaded final year marksheet (of any one semester), which is digitally signed or duly signed with seal by competent authority (Registrar, Controller of Examination etc.) ONLY, is acceptable.

Is there a relaxation in cut-off score and fee for the EWS (Economically weaker section) candidates?

The cut off score and fee for EWS candidates will be SAME as General candidates.

What will happen if I am not able to produce EWS certificate at the time of admission/counselling etc.?

If you are not having a valid EWS certificate at the time of admission/counselling/recruitment, you will be considered as General category candidate. However, GATE has nothing to do with subsequent admission or recruitment process.

Do I have to upload my EWS certificate during the application process?

NO. Since, the GATE cut-off for score for General and General-EWS categories are same, you need not upload any EWS certificate.

I am unable to complete the email verification process as I didn't get any email verification mail from your side.

Perhaps there is a small server delay. However wait for a few more minutes and check again. You can complete the GATE application process with your SMS credentials, and at a later stage you can verify e-mail.

I am unable to complete the SMS verification process as I didn't get any SMS verification OTP from your side.

Perhaps there is a small server delay. However wait for a few more minutes and check again. You can complete the GATE application process with your email credentials, and at a later stage you can verify mobile number.

My application status is under scrutiny. What should I do now?

If these of your application is "Under Scrutiny". You need not worry. Wait till the scrutiny team process your application. Only those candidates whose applications need to be rectified in photo/signature/supporting documents, will be contacted by email and SMS. The scrutiny process will continue even after the application portal is closed.

I was filling form and in that there is no option of 'Will be able to climb staircase' but after save and view option it shows this option with "No" as answer. How to rectify?

This field is concerning PwD candidates. Hence other candidates may ignore it.

I applied for GATE 2020 there is a mistake in my application (name or college name or city or DOB or Mobile no or email id or document). So I want to edit. How to edit it?

We have intimated the data correction time window on GATE 2020 website

For how many GATE papers can I apply?

A candidate can apply for only ONE of the 25 papers listed in the GATE INFORMATION BROCHURE or GATE website. The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below:
The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree.
The candidate is, however, free to choose any other paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission.
After submission of application, am I permitted to change my GATE Examination Paper?
YES. A request for the change of GATE Examination Paper will be entertained against payment. A specific time period for the same will be notified in the GATE 2020 website.

After submission of application, am I permitted to change my GATE Examination City?

YES. ONLY after the last date for application submission, a request for the change of examination city will be entertained against payment. A specific time period for the same will be notified in the GATE 2020 website.

Provisional degree and 8th semester mark sheet available at college but I am so far from college to take the degree certificate. Is 7th semester mark sheet acceptable or not?

Yes. You can upload 7th semester mark sheet.

I cannot find my college name in drop down list. What should I do now?

Enter your college name manually and ignore the warning message. However do not use any special characters.

How should I enter my name? As on the Online Application form the Order to fill Candidate Name is (First Name, Middle Name, Surname). But in my Original Bachelor's Degree Certificate the order of Name is in Format (Surname, First Name, Middle Name).

Please enter your name as per the eligibility certificate/document.

I have entered my college correctly in the application. Even in the preview form the name was correct but after downloading the application, it is incomplete. Kindly help me with this issue.

This is due limit on number of characters. Hence you may ignore it.

I recently completed by B.E. degree in year 2019. I don't have my provisional or degree certificate. So, how can I apply for GATE 2020?

Please upload Course completion certificate/Final year mark sheet(s).

I am not able to upload eligibility certificate/document even though the certificate is valid as well as between 10KB and 500KB. Can you please help?

Please clear the cache of your browser and then try again.

As I am B.Tech 2014 passed out, I am not able to fill the year of qualifying degree because the selection year is displaying only 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. What should I do?

Please select "Yes" option for the question "Have you graduated in the above degree?". This will allow display of all the previous years.

I am a recent graduate with B-tech. I have backlogs. With what supporting documents can I apply for this GATE 2020 exam?

You must pass all backlogs before July, 2020. Please upload your final year mark sheets / Certificate from HoD / Principal (Appendix A) / Bonafide certificate from your college ( HOD / Principal signature and seal is a must).

I have entered my college name wrongly. Even though I have not submitted my application, I am not able to correct my college name. What should I do now?

Again start filling the form from country option. Then change in the college name should be possible. Do not use any special characters.

I made payment and amount had been debited from my account. But it is still asking to make payment. What should I do?

Please make payment once again. The excess payment will be reverted back to your account.

First time, my payment transaction failed. Second time I could finish my transaction, but the amount was deducted two times. Whether my money for the failed transaction will be refunded or not?

If you have made multiple payments for an application (for whatever reasons), the excess amount will be reverted back to your account in the next few days.

I have selected city 1 as Chennai West. I want to choose city 2 as Hyderabad. But Hyderabad is not listed in the city 2 option. What should I do?

If a candidate chooses a particular city (in a particular zone) as the first choice, then he/she will be able to choose the city of second choice ONLY from the same zone. Third choice can be from any one of the listed cities (i.e., no restriction on the zone for the third choice city).

My name in the eligibility certificate/document and GATE 2020 application are different. How can I change it?

When will I receive my Admit Card?

Admit Card can ONLY be downloaded from the GOAPS website from 3rd January 2020. Admit Cards will NOT be sent by post or as an e-mail attachment.

Is the Admit Card alone sufficient to gain entry to the examination centre?

NO. Candidates must bring a print-out of the downloaded Admit Card to the Examination for the verification along with the original and valid photo Identity Document (NO photocopy/scanned copy/NOT an expired document), which was specified during the filling up of the online application. For Indian candidates, only following identification cards will be accepted: Passport, PAN card, Voter ID, Aadhaar-UID, College ID, Employee ID and Driving License. For International candidates, ONLY a valid Passport/Government issued ID/College ID/Employee ID will be accepted as the recognized identification.

The Admit Card is valid if and ONLY if the candidate's photograph and signature images are clear and legible. The photograph on the Admit Card and that in the valid photo identity document should match with the appearance of the candidate on the day of examination.

Can I bring soft copy of the Admit Card (in mobile phone/tablet/laptop) to gain entry to the examination centre?

NO. Hard copy (preferably printed in color) of the Admit Card must be brought to the examination centre along with at least one original (not photocopied/scanned copy) and valid (not expired) Identity Document (ID), which was specified during the filling up of the online application.

GATE 2020 Examination

For how many GATE papers can I apply?

A candidate can apply for only ONE of the 25 papers listed in the GATE INFORMATION BROCHURE or GATE website. The choice of the appropriate paper is the responsibility of the candidate. Some guidelines in this respect are suggested below:

- The candidate is expected to appear in a paper appropriate to the discipline of his/her qualifying degree.

- The candidate is, however, free to choose any other paper according to his/her admission plan, keeping in mind the eligibility criteria of the institutions in which he/she wishes to seek admission.

After submission of application, am I permitted to change my GATE Examination Paper?

NO. Requests for the change of GATE Examination paper after the submission of Application Form WILL NOT be permitted.

After submission of application, am I permitted to change my GATE Examination City?

YES. ONLY after the last date for application submission, a request for the change of examination city will be entertained against payment. A specific time period for the same will be notified in the GATE 2020 website.

After submission of application, am I permitted to change my Category?

YES. Category change request will be entertained till November 4, 2019. Any request after this date won't be considered.

Will I be provided with any white paper for rough work and calculations during the examination?

A scribble pad will be provided to the candidate that can be used to do the rough work. The candidate has to return the scribble pad after the examination.

Am I allowed to leave the examination hall during the examination?

NO. Candidates will NOT be allowed to leave the examination hall for any reason during the examination. Candidates are allowed to leave the examination hall only after the scheduled end of examination.

What items are not permitted to be brought with me inside the examination venue?

Only Admit Card, Identification Card and a pen is permitted to be taken inside the examination hall. Mobile phones, physical calculators, wristwatches, or any other electronic items are NOT permitted inside the examination hall. If a candidate brings any of these items, they have to be kept outside the examination hall at the candidate's own risk. If the candidate is found to be in possession of these items (even if not using them), he/she will be disqualified and the result will not be declared for the candidate.

Can I use a physical calculator during the examination?

NO. During the online GATE 2020 examination, all candidates will be provided with a virtual scientific calculator which has to be used to answer the questions. Mobile phones, physical calculators, wristwatches, or any other electronic items are NOT permitted inside the examination hall.

Will there be any arrangement at the examination centre for the safe keeping of my personal items such as my mobile phone?

NO. Such arrangements will not be made at the examination centre. If a candidate brings personal belongings including mobile phones, they have to be kept outside the examination hall at the candidate's own risk. The GATE officials are not responsible for safe keeping of your personal items.

What happens if a physical calculator (even on an electronic watch) or a mobile phone (even in switched off mode) is found in my possession in the examination hall?

Such cases will naturally constitute violation of GATE 2020 code of conduct (as given in Appendix D) and will lead to disqualification of the candidature.

Is there a separate rank/paper for Geology and Geophysics candidates in GATE 2020?

There will be same GG paper for all Geology and Geophysics candidates. However, separate scores and ranks will be provided to Geology and Geophysics candidates based on the Part B section in GG paper (keeping the GG paper pattern as it is).

For this, separate cut-off marks will be obtained as per the common procedure but by considering the following sections of GG paper:

Will the facility of scribe and/or compensatory (extra) time be given to all PwD candidates?

The facility of scribe is meant for only those PwD candidates who have physical limitation to write including that of speed. Candidates can bring their own scribe or can request GATE authorities to arrange scribe. The compensatory (extra) time of one additional hour for a 3 hours exam would be applicable to such candidates.

Will there be a "magnified question paper" for visually challenged PwD candidates?

YES. Once you reach the examination hall, please contact the GATE Institute Representative through the invigilator in your examination hall and he/she will do the needful.

Will the facility of scribe and/or compensatory (extra) time be given to dyslexic candidates?

Yes, dyslexic candidates can avail the services of scribe, provided such candidates submit a proper dyslexic certificate issued by the competent authorities. The scribe will be provided by the GATE authorities or candidates may bring his/her own scribe. The compensatory (extra) time would be applicable to such dyslexic candidates availing the scribe facility.

Is there a provision of getting compensatory (extra) time for a PwD/dyslexic candidate without opting for a scribe?

Candidates with certain disabilities, which limits the speed of writing, may ask for compensatory (extra) time of one hour, if requested well in advance. GATE authorities will then take a final decision whether extra time will be permitted or not.